Mercer hosted its annual family weekend on Friday and Saturday, welcoming parents, siblings and friends to campus. The weekend offered families an opportunity to see more of Mercer, complete with academic check-ins, informational meetings, a concert and the requisite tailgate before Saturday's football game against Samford University.
For some families, the weekend has become a tradition. Frances and David Scoggins have attended all four years of their son’s time at Mercer. They participated in the information session and academic check-ins during their first two years visiting, which they said clued them in on what Mercer has available for students.
Stacy Mullin, a parent of Brodie Mullin ’29, said she has attended every informational event Mercer offers, including various events that the admissions team puts on each year like Make It Mercer, orientation and scholarship weekend. She recommends other parents do the same, adding that if she hadn’t had a scheduling conflict, she would have attended the information session again because “I always pick up something else, somebody always has something new to say.”
Stacy also attended Cubstock, the annual student concert competition, to watch her son perform. “That was amazing,” she said. “There were so many talented students.”
While the informational sessions provide insight for parents and Cubstock draws entertainment, the most popular attraction remains the tailgate. Families set up tents around Black Field, grilled barbecue and enjoyed music from country artist Tyler Braden as part of the Ford Concert Series. Fraternities and sororities hosted games of corn hole and ping pong to entertain attendees of all ages.
Parents often express concern that their students spend too much time secluded in their rooms, according to a “Mercer Family” social media page the Scoggins follow. But, Frances said, there are remedies for and ways to prevent that isolation.
“Get them involved in a fraternity, sorority or club,” she said. “Give them people that understand what they’re going through.”
In addition to the on-campus festivities, Mercer encouraged families to explore other parts of Middle Georgia, giving visitors a “Very Important Family” card in their welcome bags, which offered discounts at restaurants and shops in the surrounding area.
